Combination shaker for condiments



April 8, 1952 5. J. PERRY COMBINATION SHAKER FOR CONDIMENTS File d March24, 1948- JNVENTOR. .SYLVESTER J- PERRY ATTORNEYS.

Patented Apr. 8, 1952 'UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE v 7 2,591,853 VCOMBINATION SHAKER FOR CONDIMENTS Sylvester J. Perry, Cleveland, OhioApplication March 24, 1948, Serial No. 16,807 i such that any of aplurality of condiments con-z; 5

tained therein may be selectively shaken therefrom'. I

Known devices of the above character are either equipped with separatenon-correlated control or valve means whereby it is impossiblelO orinconvenient to simultaneously shake both of the condiments therefrom,or else they are not equipped with any control means whatever wherebythe converse situation arises wherein moreithan one condiment isdispensed when it is l5 desired to dispense only one of them.Furthermore, both of the above types of shakers, and

more especially the latter type, are open to the objection that thesuccessive shaking of the condiments therefrom entails the nuisance ofchanging the position of the shaker in the hand of the user.

Another objection to prior art combination shakers is that because thecondiments are not visible to the user it is necessary to make testshakes in order to determine when the shaker needsrefilling and to"carefully charge the ingredients into properly labeled chambers. Then,before using such shakers the legends thereon must be referred to orelse test shakes be made with-the result that some of the ingredientsmay thus be wasted. A l .p.

--A still further objection to the type of shaker which has no controlmeans associated therewith is that the use of the fingers of the user assuch a a controlmeans is unsanitary and further, in the case of salt,for example, the absence of any chamber sealing means rendersthe-associated perforations more likely to become clogged'from humidatmospheric conditions thereby involving 51 a the bother-of clearing theperforations or of vigorously shaking the shaker without dispensing anyor else an insuificient quantity of the substance through suchcloggedperforations.

1 Accordingly, it is a primary object of this in- 1 .vention toprovide'a combination shaker for a plurality of condiments therein whichincludes a partitioned transparent body, and a novel valve arrangementassociated with the perforated-top cap of said body which is selectivelyoperable by 9 a simple flick of the fingers of the user and without achange in the position of the shakerinthe "users hand'to'open and closetherespectiv'e perforations for shaking; a selected one'of thecondimerits and toopen all of such perforations; for 5 2 Claims. (01.222-1421;)

simultaneously shaking all of the condiments,

said transparent body enabling the user to determine at a glance by thedistinguishing colors of the condiments which is which and whenrefilling is necessary. The valve, is additionally formed so that in allpositions thereof intercommunication between the condiment chambers isprevented.

Another object is to provide a combination shaker which is not onlyeconomical to manufacture but is of attractive form even when empty andmore so when filled with different colored condiments which create astriped effect to enin the partitioned body and for forming a seal withthe partition in the body whereby toavoid mixing or contamination of thecondiments in the respective chambers, said bottom cap beingfurther'formed with flanges or lips which fricv tionally engage theopposite sides of such partition to thus retain the bottom cap frominadvertent removal. Such flanges alsoserve as guides so that the bottomcap can be quickly and conveniently placed into properly assembledposition on said transparent body.

Another object is to provide a uniquely formed perforated top capsecurely fastened to the shaker body so as to retain the actuatablevalve element frictionally against the underside thereof with theassistance of the stabilizing and supporting effect of the upper edge ofthe body partition whereby said valve element is retained in anyselected position during the normal use of the shaker.

Another object is to provide a combination shaker in which the sealseffected between the bottom cap and the body and between the valveelement and top cap and the body exclude dampness from at least one ofthe chambers in the body when the shaker is not in use so that theparticular condiment contained therein is substantially free-running atall times whereby t0 prevent clogging of the associated perforations inthe top cap. Other objects and advantages will become apparent as thefollowing description proceeds. To the accomplishment of the foregoingand related ends; said invention, then, comprises the featureshereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims,the following description and the annexed drawings setting forth 3 indetail a certain illustrative embodiment of the invention, this beingindicative, however, of but one of thevarious Ways in which theprinciple of the invention may be employed.

In said annexed drawings:

Fig. 1 is a central vertical cross section view of a preferredembodiment of this invention taken substantially along the line I--I,Fig. 2, with a portion of the upper end in elevation;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary cross section view taken substantially along theline 3-3, Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a preferred form of valve element.

Referring now to the drawing and first more especially to Fig. 1, thenumeral I denotes a transparent substantially cylindrical body, the termcylindrical being used in a generic sense to include a frusto-conicalbody such as illustrated. Diametrically across said body I is anintegrally formed partition 2 axially co-extensive with said body andforming therewith two independent chambers 3 and 4 adapted to containdifferent condiments or like substances which are adapted to impartrelish to food, for example, the most common ones being salt and pepper,as indicated by the letters S and P in Fig. 2.

Although the body I herein disclosed is formed with identical chambers 3and 4 it is to be understood that the partition 2 may be variouslymodified to provide two unequal chambers or to provide more than twochambers of any desired relative size. Another modification (primarilyfor ornamental purposes which is Within the purview of the presentinvention is to twist the partition 2 spirally whereby the differentcolors of the condiments in the chambers will create a barber pole orpeppermint stick effect.

Across the bottom of the body I closing the lowerends of the chambers 3and l is a unitary bottom cap 5 provided with a peripheral rim 6 snuglyfitted around the base of body I. Said cap 5 is also formed with adiametrically extending channel defined between upstanding ribs orflanges I and 8- which frictionally embrace the partition 2 therebetweenwhereby to form a seal which prevents mixing of the respective contentsof the chambers 3 and 5. Furthermore at least the central portion ofeach rib extends upwardly above the rim 6, as best shown in Figs. 1 and3, whereby to assure convenient and proper assembly of cap 5 onto bodyI. The. aforesaid frictional engagement of the ribs I and 8 withpartition 2 serves to effectively retain cap 5 against accidentaldisplacement from the body, I. The cap 5 is further formed with adownwardly extending rim 9 for stably supporting the shaker on a shelf,stove top, or the like.

A top cap I over the upper end of body I is formed with two sets ofperforations II and I2 therethrough respectively communicating with thechambers 3 and 4 and through which perforations the contents of therespective chambers may be shaken. Said cap I0 is cemented or otherwisefixedly attached to said body and has a step I3 formed therein inengagement with the upper end of body I whereby to define a circularrecess I4 above the latter. Frictionally interposed between said cap I0and the upper end of body I in such recess I4 is a valve element I ofgenerally oval contour, "as best shown in Figs. 2 and 4, which isshiftable --transversely of body I by means of diametrically opposedactuator lugs I6 thereon projected exteriorly through diametricallyopposed peripheral openings H in cap I0. It will be observed that saidvalve element I5 including the lugs I6 is so positioned relative to theupper edge of partition 2 and is of a length such that in all positionsthereof, the upper end of partition 2 will be covered whereby condimentfrom one chamber cannot leak into the other chamber.

In the position of valve element I5, as illustrated in Fig. 2, theperforations II for chamber 3 are covered thereby and the perforationsI2 for chamber 4 are uncovered thereby. Thus, when the shaker is used,the contents of chamber 4 (for example, salt, as denoted by the letter Son cap I0) may be shaken through the perforations I2.

In the opposite position of said valve element I5, that is with thevalve element shifted in an upward direction as viewed in Fig. 2, theperforations I2 will be covered and the perforations II will beuncovered whereby the contents of chamber 3 (for example, pepper, asdenoted by the letter P on cap I0) may be shaken therefrom.

It will be apparent that manipulation of the valve element I5 may bealternately efiected as, for example, by the thumb and forefinger of theuser bearing on the lugs IS without requiring any change in the positionof the shaker in the users hand. As a further feature of this inventionit can be seen that in an intermediate position of said element I5, bothsets of perforations II and I2 will be uncovered whereby both of thecondiments in chambers 3 and 4 may be simultaneously shaken from theshaker.

All of the parts constituting the shaker described are preferably madeof molded plastic materials whereby to effect manufacturing economiesand to provide an attractive lightweight but sturdy construction whichis essentially unbreakable whereby to effectively withstand the normalrough usage to which devices of this character are subjected.

In summary, it can now be seen that the aforedescribed shaker admirablyfulfills all of the requirements referred to and effectually avoids theobjections inherent in prior devices. Furthermore, the present shaker isof a size and shape essentially corresponding with presently used singleshakers whereby the same occupies a minimum of space and may beconveniently handled and readily distinguished from other kitchenaccessories and utensils thereabout.

It is to be understood that the bottom cap 5 may be fixedly secured tothe body I and the top cap II) fitted onto said body so as to beremovable therefrom. Likewise, instead of employing a. top or bottom capwhich is removable by axial displacement relative to the body in themanner illustrated, said body and the removable cap may be formed. withinterengaging threads or the like.

With reference to the valve element I5, it is preferred that the edgesthereof be formed as knife edges or beveled as indicated in Figs. 1 and4 whereby to more effectively remove condiment which may stick to theunder face of cap III, especially in the regions of the perforations IIand. I2, and thus preclude wedging or trapping of condiment between thecap I0 and the valve element I5. This renders the valve elementfreeoperating at all times, and also precludes forcing of valve elementI5 away from cap I0 whereby no leakage can occur between the condimentchambers 3 and 4.

Other modes of applying the principle of the invention may be employed,change being made as regards the details described, provided the featherespective chambers and through which condiments in the respectivechambers are adapted to be dispensed, such partition terminating shortof the transverse end wall at such other end of said body whereby todefine an unobstructed recess bounded by the peripheral side wall ofsaid body, said body being formed with lateral openings through the sidewall thereof in alignment with such partition and leading into suchrecess, a valve element in such recess frictionally engaged between suchpartition and adjacent transverse end wall and formed with oppositelyextending actuator lugs projecting through such lateral openings in saidbody and with a laterally enlarged imperforate disk disposed to beselectively positioned to cover one set of perforations and to uncoverthe other set upon shifting of said valve element by said lugsinopposite directions in such recess along a path parallel to suchpartition, said diskand lugs being of substantially the same thicknessas such recess between such partition and adjacent transverse end wallwhereby said disk and lugs continuously seal against such partition andadjacent transverse end wall to preclude communication between suchchambers at such other end of said body.

2. A condiment shaker, comprising a tubular body formed with alongitudinally extending partition dividing said body into two chambersfor condiments, means providing two transverse end walls respectivelyclosing one end of said body to seal such chambers from one another atsuch one end and providing two sets of perforations at the other end ofsaid body leading directly to the respective chambers and through whichcondiments in the respective chambers are adapted to be dispensed, suchpartition terminating short of the transverse end Wall at such other endof said body whereby to define an unobstructed recess bounded by theperipheral side wall of said body, said body being formed with lateralopenings through the side wall thereof in alignment with such partitionand leading into such recess, a valve element in such recessfrictionally engaged between such partition andadjacent transverse endwall and formed with oppositely extending actuator lugs projectingthrough such lateral openings in said bodyand with a laterally enlargedimperforate disk disposed to be selectively positioned to cover one setof perforations and to uncover the other set upon shifting of said valveelement by said lugs in opposite directions in such recess along a pathparallel to such partition, said disk and lugs being of substantiallythe same thickness as such recess between such partition and adjacenttransverse end wall whereby said disk and lugs continuously seal againstsuch partition and adjacent transverse end wall to precludecommunication between such chambers atsuch other end of said body,opposite edges of such disk being adapted to engage the side wallbounding such recess to arrest shifting of said valve element inopposite directions between the aforesaid positions.

SYLVESTER J. PERRY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the flle ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

